Tuesday 24 September 2019

WESTGATE AND WESTBROOK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION SEPT 2019




MINUTES OF A GENERAL MEETING HELD AT THE BOWLS CLUB ON MONDAY 9th  SEPTEMBER 2019 AT 7.15PM.


PRESENT

Julian Dungey (Vice-Chair) who chaired the meeting, and twenty four members, including WTC Cllr Joanna Cornford.

APOLOGIES
Gina May, Vivien Osborne, Mavis Vaughan, and Cllr Matt Scott.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT (Read out by the Vice-Chairman)
Communications to the W&WRA committee.  Whilst communications and ideas from members are welcome, some have been using social media, but all are requested to use the W&WRA email address: westgateandwestbrook@gmail.com or to send items in writing, C/o St Augustines' Business Centre, 125, Canterbury Road, Westgate-on-Sea CT8 8NL. The new W&WRA mobile number is 07873551901 where messages can be left and calls returned in due course.  If received by 5.00pm on the Friday before the next committee meeting it will be discussed and acted on where possible providing the item is within the remit of the W&WRA. (Committee meetings are currently held on the Monday before the monthly general meetings, next one 07/10/19).

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting, (12/08/19), which had been circulated, were agreed as a correct record subject to minor amendments to the spelling of names, and signed.

MATTERS ARISING
1)      Caravans Parked Illegally.  This was reported both in Westbrook and Westgate. James Brazier suggested these be reported to KCC Warden Laura Bungard. 

REPORTS Cllrs, PCSOs, WARDEN'S:
KCC Warden Laura Bungard: (Report sent in and read by the chair):
1)      Drains. Several drains in Westgate Bay Avenue tend to flood in heavy rain.  Following Laura's report the inspector is to come with relevant people, and hopefully the problem will be dealt with shortly.
2)      Rowena Road.  Dog poo bags are being deposited behind the green utilities boxes, and has continued after clearing.  Residents are asked to watch out for this so it can be stopped.
3)      Travellers Gypsies and Campers.  Various sites have been invaded and these have been reported  to TDC.  Those homeless around the area have also been reported to TDC.
4)      Rubbish Bins.  Residents are requested not to deposit rubbish in any bin                                                                                                      that is already overflowing.  Please contact WTC or TDC
5)      Contact.  Laura may be contacted by email laurabungard@kent.gov.uk or by phone 07969 583922, and her details are held at the Town Council Offices.
6)      White VW Van parked at the junction of Wentworth Avenue and 181 Westbrook Avenue.  This had been raised with Laura by members as it was causing a dangerous lack of visibility to drivers emerging from Wentworth Avenue, or vehicles turning right into Bowes Avenue.  TDC had informed Laura that it had been “claimed” and not dumped, and at the time both tax and MOT were in date,  It is expected to be removed soon.

WTC Cllr Joanna Cornford:
1)      Planning Application for 129, Sea Road.  This is a re-application to demolish the existing building and replace it with flats.  Objections had been forthcoming and Cllr Cornford said it was essential to object with the correct reasons.  WTC planning committee are meeting tomorrow (Tuesday).
2)      Speeding Cars.  More speedwatch volunteers are needed, it was reported by members that Westbrook Avenue and The Royal Esplanade often see speeding vehicles.
  
PLANNING
1)      40, Station Road.  Application for change of use from retail to retail sandwich bar and drinking establishment, with alterations to fenestration, installation of canopy, and addition of WC.
2)      Elizabeth Court, Westbrook.  Members reported seeing footings in front of this building but have not seen any planning applications.  Item to be checked with TDC.
3)      Planning Lists.  Copies were previously supplied for the W&WRA general meetings by a TDC councillor, but have not been available recently.  WTC Cllr Joanna Cornford kindly offered to obtain future copies. 

CORRESPONDENCE
1)      Notice of Review of Polling Places and Polling Stations.  A consultation period has just started and comments are invited to the TDC.  There is also an email link consultation@thanet.go.uk
2)      Police by Email.  Telephone and computer scams are being tried, and residents need to be extremely vigilant.    Vehicle crime locally has escalated, particularly damage to car windows.

TREASURER'S REPORT (Jacquie Agnew)
1)      Monthly Report.  Jacquie apologised to the meeting that she had not brought it, but could email copies later in the evening to any members wishing this.
2)      Proposed Children's Christmas Party.  The committee had proposed this for members children and grandchildren.  The Westgate Community Centre would give a special price of £30, and there would be a charge  of £2.50 each to cover the cost of food and presents.  Comments were invited, James felt that a budget should be set, Don suggested the road stewards could put details through members' doors, perhaps with an explanation that the W&WRA magazine is now within the Westgate “News and Directory”.  It was also suggested that road stewards could at the same time check that members had received the new magazine as some roads do not appear to have been completely covered. The meeting did not proceed with the Christmas party proposal.
3)      Literary Festival.  The W&WRA has been asked if one of the speakers for the children's literary event could be sponsored for £100. There would be useful publicity/advertising associated with this, and the proposal was agreed by the meeting.

SUNSHINE REPORT
Joanna Cornford initiated a discussion on where cards could be obtained reasonably.  It was generally thought that KCC Warden Laura would be most helpful with information about local residents who may benefit by a kind word and card.  Joanna reported that Joan Penhallow is now back in Westgate (at Eaton Lodge).

MEMBERSHIP
The Vice-Chairman introduced member Clare Hastings who has been co-opted to the committee, and she was welcomed by the meeting.

CIVIC REPORT
1)        Westgate-on-Sea Heritage Centre at St Saviour's Church.  Saturday 12th October (second Saturday) 10.30am, a talk by Dr Dawn Crouch “Streete Court Boys' School and its literary link”.
2)        Margate Civic Society at the Walpole Bay Hotel Thursday 3rd October at 7.30pm, a talk by Amber Butchart “Nautical Chic: High Style on the High Seas”  .
3)        Birchington Heritage Trust at Alpha Road.  Thursday 26th September “A Schoolgirl's War” by Mary Smith.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

SOCIAL REPORT
1)      New Year Lunch.  Jacquie had made enquiries at St Augustines and passed round sample menus, a possible free date is 12th January, and cost per person £21.
2)      Other Events.  Members were asked to make their preferences known for all age groups.


ANY OTHER BUSINESS
1)      Kerb Edges.  Chris Wyer pointed out the large number of weeds in roads, and had cleared some near his home with a shovel, there was also graffiti in the shelters.
2)      Domneva Road.  A bungalow had been built so close to another building, that it could make very difficult for fire fighters should they be needed.
3)      Litter Collection by Volunteers.  Members were appalled to learn that litter collected by volunteers had been classed by the amenity tip as industrial waste and refused.
4)      Hedge Cutting.  Heat seeking equipment is being introduced to conserve wildlife.                                                                               
5)      St Mildred's Bay Car Park.  A proposal from a member that the WTC and W&WRA lobby the TDC to dispense with car parking charges in the summer as this is hardly ever used due to unrealistically high charges.  It is suggested that the loss to TDC would be minimal, (under FOI regulations is it possible to be advised of the annual revenue of this car park?), and more visitors would be encouraged and the street parking in the area relieved which has been to the detriment of local residents.
6)      The Old St Mildred's Putting Green.  Provision of picnic tables has been mentioned over the years, what are the pros and cons for this?  Could these be provided from the W&WRA, and be stored in the council hut during the winter?
7)      St Mildred's Bay Toilets.  There is a rumour these may be replaced by portaloos.  If this is correct could we be advised of the situation regarding the shower facilities (required for a blue flag beach).
8)      Wheelie Bins.  The lid of a black bin was broken off during collection and lost in the collecting lorry on 8th April.  Several phone calls were made during the  next few weeks, and TDC instructions were to leave the bin out at the front so that the operative could check the size and type required, also being advised this would take about TWENTY WEEKS.  There has still been no action from TDC, and another call was made to them explaining that whilst out at the front items have been placed in it including recyclables and dog poo, and the rain fills up in the bin so that all the rubbish has to be sorted out in a solution of dog poo, hardly compliant to conditions appropriate to health and safety.  We would ask how long does it take to replace a bin lid?
9)      Code of Conduct.  This as discussed at a previous meeting was put to the vote for adoption, and unanimously accepted.
10)  MacMillan Coffee Morning.  To be held at the Bake House on Wednesday 25th September from 10.00am to 12.00noon.  

                                        

NEXT MEETING
Monday 14th October, at the Bake House 7.00pm for 7.15pm.  

The meeting concluded at 9.10pm.